Lamp for automobiles and the like



May 1, 1923. 7 1,453,534

F. W. WAKEFIELD LAMP FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE Filed Jam 24 Q 1917 J I VENI 121m wyy mrg HTTozNEY Patented ay 1, 1923.

FREDERICK W. WAKEFIELD, OF VEEMILION, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE F. W. WAKE- FIELD BRASS COMPANY, OF VERMILION, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LAMP FOR-AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed January 24, 1917. Serial No. 144,108.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. WAKE- FIELD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Vermilion, county of Erie, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lamps for Automobiles and the like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions. I

The present improved construction of lamp, while adapted, as indicated, for automobile use, (specifically as spot-light or owl light), embodies features which are adaptable to avariety of connections not limitedto the search-light class. One object of the invention is to provide a simple and convenient mounting for a 'lamp in a holder, whether in the form of a casing or otherwise, one that is of inexpensive construction and easy to assemble, and that will at the same time permit of adjustment in certain more or less essential respects, as where a reflector is employed. Another object is to combine with such mounting a switchof novel design and mode of operation, for connecting and disconnecting the lamp in the lighting circuit. Still another object is the provision of a novel mounting for the mirror used more especially in conjunction with so-called spot-lights. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims,

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in' which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing 2-- Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section through a lamp embodying my present improvements, the lamp t us illustrated being of the spot-light or head-light-type; Figure 2 is a partial rear elevation andpartial transverse section of such lamp, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 2-2, Fi re 1; Figure 2 is a plan viewof a detaiI bf the casing; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the switch; Figure 4 is a central section of the rear portion of the lamp correspondin with that in Figure 1, but showing a mo ification in construction; F igure 5 1s a-transverse section of such modified form of construction, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 55, Figure 4; Figure 6 is a central longitudinal section, similar to that of Figure 1, of still another modified to of construction; Figure 7 is a transverse section of such lastnamed modification, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 7-7, Figure 6; and:Figure 8 is a side elevation of a bracket-lamp, such as might be used for interior illumination, showing the-adaptation ofcertain of the present improvements to this field of use.

In the constructional form illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, as also for that matter in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, although details only of the lamp are shown in these last-named figures, the improvements in hand are, as alread stated, shown incorporated in a head -lig t, light, of the type largely used on automobiles. In a lamp of this character all the parts, including the controlling switch, are desirabl supported within and by the easing 1 w ich encloses the lam bulb and reflector, since, as shown in Figure 2, such casing, particularly in the case of the spotlight, is designed to be supported clear of the vehicle throu h the medium of a bracket, which provides In efi'ect a universal joint.

In the present case such joint is rendered secured thereto through the mediumbf a flanged clamping ring 7, the flat portion of which is split part way across as shown in Figure 2, so'as to permit such ring tobe slipped over the corresponding edge of the casing and then be secured tightly in place by means of an adjusting screw 8. A reflector 9 is held in the casing back of the glass 6, said reflector being of general annular form, having through which the lamp-bulb 1 1, or other lighting element, supported as hereinafter described, projects from the rear,"so as to a central aperture 10 therein,

or rather in a spot- F of smaller diameter.

occupy a proper position with respect to said reflector.

' This lamp-bulb is thus supported from a plate or cap 12, that closes the rear end of the main casing 1, such plate also carrying the circuit connections, switch and certain adjusting means that are associated with the lamp. The plate is secured to the casing by means ofscrews 13, that permit of such plates removal, and with the latter are carried all of the parts just named, including the lampbulb itself, this feature of construction being broadly set forth and claimed in my companion application filed June 3,1916, Serial No. 101,445, now issued into United States Letters Patent No. 1,231,- 677 dated July 3rd, 1917. As in such companion application one of the parts thus carried by said plate is the reflector-center 14, which is preferably of the same curvature as the main reflector, but is a trifle smaller in diameter than the aperture 10 therein, so as to permit it, as well as the lamp-bulb 11, to move freely through such opening incidentally to the assembly of the parts within the casing as well as incidentally to the adjustment of the lamp bulb, which forms one of the features of the invention.

The reflector-center 14 and lamp-bulb 11 are carried on a spindle 15 composed of insulating material, of which the forward end at least is tubular to form a socket 16 for the rereption of the lamp-bulb, while. the rear end thereof is provided with an extension 17 On the outer end of the latter is fixed a knob or button 18, normally non-rotatable, whereby such spindle may be turned in the bearings 1provided therefor in a partition plate 19 li ewise of insulating material, secured between the main casing 1 of the lamp and the cap 12, which closes its rear end, and in a sleeve 20 that is externally threaded in such cap. Said sleeve is provided with a disk-like portion 21, whereby it may be rotated, and fits between the knob and the rear end of the spindle proper,

so that, as it is thus rotated, it will serve to advance or retract the spindle as a whole, depending upon the direction of its rotation. However, in any such longitudinally adjusted position of the spindle, it will be obvious that it can be turned by means of the knob or button 18, without altering the adjustment secured through the medium of the externally threaded sleeve.

While the circuit connections for the lamp bulb may be modified in detail, depending upon whether the latter is of the bayonetsocket type as shown, or some other type, the main features will remain the same in the several illustrated constructions. In Figure 3 is shown one of the conductor members 25, such as employed in the construction of gures 1 and 2, such members consisting simply of strips of metal extending longitudinally of the spindle and terminating at their forward endsin spring contacts 26, which co-operate with the contacts on the lamp bulb when the latter is secured in the sozket. The rear ends of members 25 are provided with fiat faces 27. that are adapted in one angular position of the spindle to be engaged by transversely disposed spring contacts 28, directly connected with the leads 29 by suitable binding posts 80, as illustrated in Figure 2. The spindle intermediate of such contact faces is planed off and such intermediate plane faces 31 will similarly engage with said spring contacts 28, when the spindle is turned through an arc of 90 from the position just referred to. Tn such firstnamed position the lamp is of course con nected in circuit, while'in the latter it is disconnected.

The reflector-center 14 is simply fitted snugly over the outer end of the spindle 15. although any suitable securing means may be added if desired. The adjustment of the lamp with respect thereto is not varied by the longitudinal shifting of the spindle, but this is a matter of indifference, it being with reference to the major portion 9 of the reflector, that the adjustment is made.

The mode of operation of the lamp as just described should be obvious from the description of the construction and operation of its several parts. Thus in the completely as sembled condition of the lamp, shown in Figure 1, the spindle 15 is longitudinally adjusted until the lamp is in proper focus with respect to said reflector 9. The filament of the minature-lamp bulbs used in lamps of this sort vary in form as is well known, and those of the same form are not uniformly positioned with respect to the stem of the bulb, so that unless some such adjustment be provided as we just described, a proper i1- luminating effect cannot be secured. Once the lamp has beenadjusted, it is connected or' disconnected at will by simply turning the spindle 15, which carries it and the inner reflector-section, through the medium of the knob 18 on the rear end'of the latter. such knob also serving as a handle, whereby the lamp as a whole may be turned in any desired direction on its universal mounting.

Not only is the operation of the lamp as a whole thus seen to be extremely simple, but its construction is such as to render manufacture inexpensive and at the same time permit of ready separation of the parts for the purpose of repair and replacement.

Where the lamp is used as a spot light and mounted on a universally adjustable support, as illustrated in Figure 2, it is usual to provide a mirror on the back of the casing, so that the driver may observe another vehicle coming up from the rear. 1 provide the mirror mounting 33 shown best in Figure 1, such mounting being of a ees-neaspindle. In place of the externally threaded sleeve 20, the extension 17 isprovided with a series of concentric corrugations 35 with which a spring 36, secured in the cap 12 is adapted to resiliently engage. The spin- .dle may thus be moved longitudinally by a simple pressureon the knob 18, and is held for, automobiles.

struction here is the same, no sectional view in adjusted position by'the' engagement of the spring with the particular corrugation with which it happens to engage.

F i gures 6 and 7 illustrate a modified con-' struction of the spindle and of the conductor members carried thereby. The spindle 37 is here shown solid, save for the forward end, which is slightly recessed to provide the necessary socket 38 for the lampbulb 11. Such spindle is then cut awaypn opposite sides to provide for the insertion of'spring-strips 39, that constitute the contact members, the forward ends of the latter being formed just as before to engage the contacts on the lamp bulb, while their rear ends are rebent to engage recesses in the b'ody of the spindle and thereby prevent accidental displacement. They are thus held in place by a ring 40, likewise of insulating material, that slips snugly over such contact strips. In this way the assembly of the several spindle parts, it Will be seen, is very much facilitated, the use of screws, or like devices, being entirely eliminated. The partition plate 41, in which the spindle 37 has its bearing, is shown as being somewhat thicker than the corresponding plate in Figure 1, this depending, of course, upon the material of which it is made and the amount of bearing surface deemed desirable. a

So far as the mounting of the lamp on a rotatable spindle is concerned, the rotation of such spindle serving to make and break the connections of the spindle,'it will be obvious that this feature is of general adaptability. It may thus be employed, as illus-' trated in Figure 8, in an ordinary bracket lamp making a not only much neater but also more convenient means for turning on and off such a lamp. It is not intended, in other words, to imply any limitation of any of the features of novelty found inthe several constructions described above, to use in alamp Since the interior conor detailed description isdeemed necessary. It should be added, that,unless a reflector is employed, the adjusting feature may be eliminated.

Other modes of applying theprinciple of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein-disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the follow-- ing claimsor the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invent-ion -1. .ln a lamp of the character described,

the combination of a suitable support; a'

spindle rotatably mounted therein and provided with a lamp-socket'at its one end; conductor members extending longitudinally of said spindle on opposite sides thereof and terminating in contacts for a lamp; a sleeve fitted over said spindle and adapted to retain said members in placepand other externally connected contacts in said support adapted to co-operate with said members in one rotative position of said spindle.

2. In a lamp of the character described, the combination of a suitable support; a spindle both rotatably and longitudinally adjustab ly mounted therein, said spindle be ing provided with a lamp-socket at its one end; conductor members extending longitudinally of said spindle on opposite sides thereof and terminating in contacts fora lamp; and other externally connected contacts in said support adapted to co-operate with said members in one rotative position 0f said spindle.

3. In a lamp'of the character described, the combination of a suitable casing open at both ends; a glass closing the front end of said casing; a removable plate closing the rear end of said casing; a reflectbr mounted in said casing, said reflector having a central aperture; a spindle roatably mountedrear end of said casing; a reflector mounted in said casing. said reflector having a central aperture; a spindle rotatably mounted in said plate in line wi h such aperture, said spindle being provided with a lamp-socket at its forward end; a central reflector-portion carried by such forward spindle-end and adapted to fill such-central apertureto Hill make a substantially complete reflector; and

circuit connections to such socket controlled by the rotative position of said spindle.

5. In a lamp of the character described,

the combination of a. suitable casing open at both ends; a glass closing the front end of said casing; a removable plate closing the rear end of said Casing; a reflector mounted in said casing, said reflector having a central aperture; a spindle both rotatably and longitudinally adjustably mounted in said plate in line with such aperture, said spindle being provided with a lamp-socket at its forward end; and circuit connections to such socket controlled by the rotative position of said spindle.

(3. In a lamp of the character described, the combination of a suitable casing open at both ends; a glass closing the front end of said casing; a removableplate closing, the rear end of said casing; a reflector mounted in said casing, said reflector having a central aperture; a spindle both rotatably and longitudinally adjustably mounted in said plate in line with such aperture, said spindle being provided with a lamp-socket at its forward end; a knob on the rear end of said spindle for rotating the same; means adapted to longitudihally adjust said spindle; and

circuit connections to such socket controlled by the rotative position of said spindle.

7. In a lamp of the character described, the combination of a suitable casing open at both ends; a glass closing the frontend of said casing; a removable plate closing the rear end of said casing; a reflector mounted in said casing, said reflector having a central aperture; a spindle both rotatably and longitudinally adjustably mounted in said plate in line with such aperture, said spindle being provided with a lamp-socket at its for- Ward end; a knob on the rear end of said spindle for rotating the same; means adapted to longitudinally adjust said spindle consisting of a rotatable sleeve threaded in said plate and held againstlongitudinal movement on said spindle; and circuit connections to such socket controlled by the rotative position of said spindle.

Signed by me, this 18th day of January,

FREDERICK W. WAKEFIELD. 

